Middle East Airlines (MEA) is a vibrant carrier based out of the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) in Lebanon. The airline, though not a massive global carrier like Qatar Airways or British Airways, still offers a healthy route network with plans for expansion. Here are the oldest aircraft in MEA’s fleet.
MEA’s fleet
According to data from Planespotters.net, MEA has a fleet of 19 passenger aircraft. The airline is an all-Airbus airline with Airbus A320s, A321s, and A330s in its fleet. Looking ahead, the airline will maintain that fleet structure with orders for Airbus’ next-generation offerings of airliners.
The carrier’s fleet is relatively young. The average fleet age is only about eight years old. Split across fleet types, the average age is:
- Airbus A320: ~9 years old
- Airbus A321neo: brand new (under a year old)
- Airbus A330: ~10 years old
The oldest aircraft in MEA’s fleet
MEA’s young average fleet age means that the oldest aircraft in the airline’s fleet is not that old relative to other airlines. The oldest jet in the airline’s fleet is an Airbus A330-200. This 12-year-old aircraft is registered as OD-MED. The A330-200 seats 244 passengers with 44 in Cedar Class (business class) and 200 in economy class. The jet is powered using Rolls-Royce Trent 772 engines.
Next up is OD-MRT. An Airbus A320, this aircraft is 11 years old. Aside from being the oldest Airbus A320 in MEA’s fleet, this jet is also in a unique retro livery celebrating the airline’s long history serving Lebanon.
Another Airbus A330-200 is up next in third place. This jet is also 11 years old and registered as OD-MEA.
Next up is another 11-year-old aircraft registered as OD-MRS. This jet is in the airline’s standard livery. Onboard, there are 24 Cedar Class seats and 102 economy class seats. IAE V2533 engines power the A320s in MEA’s fleet.
OD-MEB and OD-MEC are two other Airbus A330-200s that are also 11 years old. Following this are OD-MRR and OD-MRO, two Airbus A320-200s.
From oldest to youngest, the aircraft are:
- OD-MED
- OD-MRT
- OD-MEA
- OD-MRS
- OD-MEB
- OD-MEC
- OD-MRR
- OD-MRO (10-year-old Airbus A320)
- OD-MRN (10-year-old Airbus A320)
- OD-MRM (9-year-old Airbus A320)
- OD-MRL (8-year-old Airbus A320)
- T7-MRC (8-year-old Airbus A320)
- T7-MRD (7-year-old Airbus A320)
- T7-MRE (4-year-old Airbus A320)
- T7-MRF (4-year-old Airbus A320)
- OD-MEE (4-year-old Airbus A330-200)
The newest planes
The Airbus A321neos are the newest jets in MEA’s fleet and are not included above. From oldest to youngest, these are T7-ME1, T7-ME2, and T7-ME3. All of these aircraft, however, are only a few months old. MEA took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo in July.
MEA had ordered a total of 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft on order, of which three have already been delivered, leaving 12 pending. The A321neo order book also contains the four A321XLRs MEA ordered, becoming the launch customer of the type. This leaves nine A321neos that will be delivered to the airline.
MEA also has Airbus A330neos on order. The carrier is expecting to take four of the larger A330-900neos.
What is the oldest MEA plane that you have flown on? Let us know in the comments!